compensationhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/taxonomy/term/4554/all
enChild abuse victims set out compensation proposals at Stormonthttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/23497
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<p>Victims of child abuse have set out detailed proposals and costings for a redress scheme which they want the Northern Ireland Executive to set up following the end of the Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry.</p>
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<p>Victims of child abuse have set out detailed proposals and costings for a redress scheme which they want the Northern Ireland Executive to set up following the end of the Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry.</p>
<p>The scheme, which could provide compensation for thousands of children who suffered abuse in residential institutions between 1922-1995, would cost at least £20 million. However, if the proposed scheme is implemented, it would actually save the public purse at least £10 million compared to the costs of compensation via the courts, argue abuse survivors.</p>
<p>The costs of the proposed redress scheme are detailed in a report (Cost Analysis of Proposed Redress Scheme for Historic Residential Abuses) commissioned from Quarter Chartered Accountants by the Panel of Experts on Redress, an independent initiative made up of survivor groups, individual survivors, academics, lawyers, human rights organisations, practitioners and national and international experts. It is proposed that survivors of abuse should receive a common experience payment of at least £10,000, calculated on the amount of time spent in an institution and an individual assessment for any mental, physical and sexual abuse suffered. The model compensation scheme is based on wide consultation with survivors and analysis of redress schemes in other jurisdictions.</p>
<p>Based on a figure of 524 eligible victims – the number of survivors who made applications to the Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry – and the likely level of compensation awards, the accountants have calculated that the scheme would cost just over £20 million. Litigation by the same number of victims through the civil claims in the courts would cost £10 million more, says Amnesty International. and a much higher proportion of the overall costs would be eaten up in legal fees, compared to the proposed scheme. Victims argue that a government-run compensation scheme would not only be more cost-effective, but would be much less traumatic for victims, who have already had to recount their experiences of abuse to the Inquiry.</p>
<p>If the proposed scheme involves a much higher number of victims, then the costs – but also the relative costs savings to the government – could be significantly higher. It is unclear how many victims will be eligible for compensation until Sir Anthony Hart completes the Inquiry report in January 2017. In November 2015 Sir Anthony Hart, chair of the Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry, announced that he would recommend a financial compensation scheme for victims and that the design of such a scheme should take account of the views of abuse survivors.</p>
<p>Victims' campaigners want The Executive Office to consult with abuse survivors about the establishment of a compensation scheme. They want Ministers to set up a negotiation process to agree the details of the scheme and the financial contribution to be made by religious orders and other organisations which ran many of the children's homes where abuse took place.</p>
<p>Margaret McGuckin of Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (SAVIA) said: "We are now only three months away from the delivery of Sir Anthony Hart's report to the Executive. Today victims have come together to set out clearly what we want from the government by way of financial redress for what we suffered as children. It is up now up to Ministers to deliver.</p>
<p>"Redress is a practical way for government and others to say sorry for how badly they let us down as children. We suffered then and have suffered the consequences through our lives ever since –psychological damage and lost opportunities. We shouldn't have to suffer on into our old age as well."</p>
<p>Jon McCourt of Survivors North West, said: "The Executive Office must listen closely to what victims and survivors are saying today. Working collectively with the Panel of Experts we have put a lot of work into developing these proposals and Ministers must take them seriously. Government must now initiate a process to secure and ring fence the resources and initiate discussions with the relevant churches and other institutions, to adequately meet the needs of victims and survivors in the wake of the Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry.</p>
<p>"Victims and survivors are a very vulnerable group – some of them are very elderly and have health problems. The Executive Office should move with urgency to consult with victims and to then set up the Redress Scheme. We have waited for justice for long enough." (<a href="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/23457" title="http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/23457">http://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/23457</a>)</p>
<p>Margaret McGuckin and Jon McCourt will be among the representatives of the Panel of Experts on Redress, an independent initiative made up of survivor groups, individual survivors, academics, lawyers, human rights organisations, practitioners and national and international experts, who present the report today at 12pm in the Long Gallery of Parliament Buildings, Stormont. Other speakers will include Ciaran McCavana of Quarter Chartered Accountants, Professor Patricia Lundy of Ulster University and Patrick Corrigan of Amnesty International.</p>
<p>The Panel has already produced two reports setting out a model compensation scheme for abuse victims, based on wide consultation with survivors and analysis of redress schemes in other jurisdictions.</p>
<p>The Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry, chaired by Sir Anthony Hart, is scheduled to report to the Executive in January, 2017. The Inquiry on 4 November 2015, after 157 days of public hearings and 392 witnesses, stated: "... what we can now say is that from the evidence we have heard so far we will recommend that there should be a scheme to award financial compensation to those children who suffered abuse in children's homes and other institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995."</p>
<p>* Amnesty International <a href="https://www.amnesty.org.uk/" title="https://www.amnesty.org.uk/">https://www.amnesty.org.uk/</a></p>
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EqualityPeace and NonviolenceNews BriefAmnesty Internationalchild abusecompensationnorthern irelandNorthern Ireland ExecutiveUK NewsTue, 18 Oct 2016 19:54:29 +0000agency reporter23497 at http://www.ekklesia.co.uk‘Ministers let us down’ child abuse victims tell Northern Ireland Assemblyhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/23457
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<p>Victims of child abuse have told a Northern Ireland Assembly committee that The Executive Office has failed to prepare for the establishment of a compensation scheme following the conclusion of the Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry.</p>
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<p>Victims of child abuse have told a Northern Ireland Assembly committee that The Executive Office has failed to prepare for the establishment of a compensation scheme following the conclusion of the Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry.</p>
<p>The representatives of a range of child abuse survivor groups told the Committee for The Executive Office that despite a November 2015 announcement by Sir Anthony Hart, chair of the Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry, that he will recommend a financial compensation scheme for victims when he reports in January 2017, Ministers have made no preparations to set up such a scheme and some have repeatedly refused to meet with victims.</p>
<p>Victims from four different survivor groups have come together with experts from Amnesty International, Ulster University and other organisations to establish a Panel of Experts on Redress which has now produced two reports setting out proposals for a compensation scheme. But despite repeated requests over a period of nine months, the groups say that neither the First Minister nor successive DUP Junior Ministers have agreed to meet with victims to discuss the way ahead. Victims say that Sinn Féin Junior Ministers have met the group in their capacity as MLAs on several occasions and that the deputy First Minister has agreed to meet them in the near future.</p>
<p>Victims' campaigners want The Executive Office to consult with abuse survivors about the establishment of a compensation scheme. They want Ministers to set up a negotiation process to agree the details of the scheme and the financial contribution to be made by religious orders and other organisations which ran many of the children's homes where abuse took place.</p>
<p>Margaret McGuckin of Survivors and Victims of Institutional Abuse (SAVIA) said: "It is the responsibility of The Executive Office to set up a redress scheme for victims of institutional abuse. But as far as we can tell, they have done next to nothing to prepare for the establishment of such a fund despite the end of the public inquiry and the imminent delivery of Sir Anthony Hart's report.</p>
<p>"We have been extremely disappointed that Ministers have repeatedly failed to respond to our requests for meetings. It has been left to victims themselves to do the work of government by consulting with abuse survivors across Northern Ireland, studying similar schemes in other jurisdictions and making detailed recommendations to Ministers. In return, there has only been official silence. We feel let down by the First Minister and her Junior Ministers."</p>
<p>Jon McCourt of Survivors North West, said: "The commitment of Chairman of the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry to the establishment of a financial compensation scheme for victims has been a welcome move, and has naturally built expectations among abuse survivors. Rather than continually excuse lack of forward movement by 'not being seen to predetermine or prejudice the outcome of the Inquiry', we had hoped that The Executive Office would have followed Sir Anthony Hart's lead and progressed discussions with the relevant institutions, aimed at scoping potential resources and services to meet the needs of victims and survivors in preparation for the forthcoming report.</p>
<p>"Victims and survivors are a very vulnerable group – some of them are very elderly and have health problems. It should be realised that additional stress, an undetermined outcome and the apparent lack of movement by The Executive Office, just add to their concern and vulnerability.</p>
<p>"It is up to The Executive Office to take steps to set up the Redress Scheme and to consult and communicate their plans fully with Victims and Survivors Groups. So far they are failing on both counts."</p>
<p>Margaret McGuckin and Jon McCourt were among representatives of the Panel of Experts on Redress, an independent initiative made up of survivor groups, individual survivors, academics, lawyers, human rights organisations, practitioners and national and international experts, who will give evidence to the Committee for The Executive Office. They were joined by Amnesty International's Patrick Corrigan and Professor Patricia Lundy of Ulster University.</p>
<p>The Panel has produced two reports setting out a model compensation scheme for abuse victims, based on wide consultation with survivors and analysis of redress schemes in other jurisdictions.</p>
<p>The Historic Institutional Abuse Inquiry, chaired by Sir Anthony Hart, is scheduled to report to the Executive in January, 2017. The Inquiry on November 4, 2015, after 157 days of public hearings and 392 witnesses, stated: "... what we can now say is that from the evidence we have heard so far we will recommend that there should be a scheme to award financial compensation to those children who suffered abuse in children's homes and other institutions in Northern Ireland between 1922 and 1995."</p>
<p>* Read the Panel's report <a href="http://uir.ulster.ac.uk/33766/1/Final%20March%208th%20Aspect%20Media%20-%20What%20Survivors%20Want%20From%20Redress%20(5).pdf" target="_blank">here</a></p>
<p>* Amnesty International <a href="https://www.amnesty.org.uk/" title="https://www.amnesty.org.uk/">https://www.amnesty.org.uk/</a></p>
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EqualityPeople and PowerNews BriefAmnesty Internationalchild abusecompensationnorthern irelandNorthern Ireland AssemblyUK NewsThu, 29 Sep 2016 09:16:25 +0000agency reporter23457 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukRana Plaza compensation fund finally meets targethttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/21772
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<p>The international fund set up to compensate victims of the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh has now met its target of $30m after a significant anonymous donation.</p>
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<p>The international fund set up to compensate victims of the 2013 Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh, in which 1,137 people died, has now met its target of $30m (£19.63m) after a significant anonymous donation.</p>
<p>For the last two years, campaigners have been demanding that brands and retailers provide compensation to the injured workers and the families of those who died. More than a million consumers around the world have publicised the high street companies whose products were made in one of the five factories housed in the structurally unsafe building. </p>
<p>Bennetton was the last major western fashion retailer to donate, contributing $1.1m (£740,000) in April this year.</p>
<p>Owen Espley, Sweatshops campaigner at the anti-poverty charity War on Want, said: “Finally, two years on since the Rana Plaza disaster, the victims and their families will receive the compensation to which they are entitled. This is great news and shows what can be achieved when people from across the world come together to fight injustice.</p>
<p>"However, this is not the end. We will not rest until the exploitative global garment industry is held accountable and the people who make our clothes are paid a living wage, enjoy safe conditions and are free to join a trade union.”</p>
<p>The Clean Clothes Campaign, which has been campaigning since the disaster in April 2013, is calling for changes which will ensure those affected by future disasters receive more timely support. It has welcomed a new initiative by the Internaional Labour Organisation in Bangladesh to develop a national workplace injury scheme for the country’s 4 million garment workers and has urged European politicians to develop better regulation of supply chains.</p>
<p>* War on Want <a href="http://www.waronwant.org/" title="http://www.waronwant.org/">http://www.waronwant.org/</a><br />
*The Clean Clothes Campaign <a href="http://www.cleanclothes.org/" title="http://www.cleanclothes.org/">http://www.cleanclothes.org/</a></p>
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Living EconomyNews Briefbangladeshclean clothes campaigncompensationgarment workersrana plazawar on wantWorld NewsMon, 08 Jun 2015 23:00:00 +0000staff writers21772 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukYemeni government pays over $1m compensation to civilian drone strike victimshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/20751
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<p>The Yemeni government has paid compensation to civilian victims of a 2013 drone strike that hit a wedding convoy and which US Government sources have claimed killed only ‘militants.’</p>
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<p>The Yemeni government has paid compensation to civilian victims of a 2013 drone strike that hit a wedding convoy and which US Government sources have claimed killed only ‘militants.’</p>
<p>The international human rights NGO Reprieve has obtained documents promising compensation for all 12 people killed and all 24 injured in the December 2013 strike. The Yemeni government has stated that it does not make compensation payments to those it believes were militants or the families of militants. Based on the documentation, Reprieve estimates that close to US$ 1.24 million has been promised.</p>
<p>Such compensation payments made by the Yemeni government – which in 2013 received $256 million in aid from the United States government – directly contradict claims by anonymous Obama administration sources that those killed were militants. They have also raised questions over whether the US is secretly funding compensation payments to civilian drone strike victims.</p>
<p>In July 2013 the Department of Defense acknowledged that they had documents relating to ‘solatia’ (compensation for US military wrongdoing) payments in Yemen but refused to release them under Freedom of Information Act requests, citing ‘national security’.</p>
<p>In April 2014, ABC News reported on Yemeni government plans to compensate victims of a drone strike on Easter weekend of this year, in which civilians were killed. When asked by ABC, the US government declined to comment on whether or not they were providing funds for compensation payments which the Yemeni government confirmed were being made.</p>
<p>Kat Craig, Legal Director of Reprieve, said: “These documents demolish the claims – made by anonymous US Government sources – that the victims of this drone attack were anything other than civilians. We now know that hundreds of thousands of dollars are having to be paid out to innocent victims of the US’ misguided, secretive drone programme. President Obama needs to come clean on where this money is coming from: either American taxpayers are footing the bill for his counterproductive policies, or it is falling on the shoulders of one of the world’s poorest governments.”</p>
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Living EconomyPeace and NonviolenceNews Briefcivilian casualtiescompensationdrone strikesReprieveUS governmentYemenWorld NewsThu, 21 Aug 2014 07:57:52 +0000agency reporter20751 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukFashion chain model urged to support Rana Plaza victimshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/19218
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<p>The charity working to win compensation for destitute victims of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh has urged Matalan model Abbey Clancy to back their calls for help.</p>
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<p>The anti-poverty charity working to win compensation for destitute victims of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh has urged Strictly Come Dancing star and Matalan model Abbey Clancy to back their calls for help.</p>
<p>The appeal, from War on Want, also went to Mango model Miranda Kerr, as both retailers have offered no compensation to the bereaved and injured, more than five months since the tragedy.</p>
<p>Over 1,100 people were killed and thousands more injured in April this year, in the collapse of a building which housed factories that made clothes for Matalan, Mango, Benetton, Primark and Bonmarché.</p>
<p>Benetton and Bonmarché have also failed to offer compensation.</p>
<p>Primark is the only retailer to have given even any emergency support.</p>
<p>Last month Mango and Benetton snubbed compensation talks hosted by the International Labour Organisation in Geneva.</p>
<p>War on Want hopes Clancy and Kerr will use their popularity to push Matalan and Mango into action.</p>
<p>The plea from War on Want came as the charity launched video testimonies from Rana Plaza victims.</p>
<p>The video, filmed by War on Want programmes officer Laia Blanch, includes a mother who relied on the earnings of her daughter, who died on the third floor of the Rana Plaza block.</p>
<p>She says: “How are we supposed to survive? How can we eat?”</p>
<p>Another mother whose daughter was killed, leaving her to care for two small grandchildren, appeals for full compensation, as the family struggle to survive.</p>
<p>Blanch said: “Our video shows the desperation of bereaved mothers who lost vital family breadwinners in the disaster and now face dire hardship.</p>
<p>“Many others were injured and cannot work, while retailers make big profits from the clothes they produced.</p>
<p>“We hope Abbey and Miranda will appeal to Matalan and Mango to fully compensate these victims now.”</p>
<p>The War on Want video is avaiable here: <a href="http://www.waronwant.org/news/latest-news/18006-video-bangladesh-rana-plaza-sweatshop-disaster-survivors-we-need-compensation" title="http://www.waronwant.org/news/latest-news/18006-video-bangladesh-rana-plaza-sweatshop-disaster-survivors-we-need-compensation">http://www.waronwant.org/news/latest-news/18006-video-bangladesh-rana-pl...</a></p>
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Beliefs and ValuesLiving EconomyNews Briefbangladeshcompensationfashion retailersgarment workersrana plazaUK Newswar on wantMon, 14 Oct 2013 09:25:44 +0000agency reporter19218 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukTUC group wins over £310,000 for asbestos victims and their familieshttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/17945
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<p>Advice Workers from the Northern TUC Asbestos Support and Campaign Group have secured nearly one third of a million pounds in compensation for asbestos victims.</p>
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<p>Since September 2012, Advice Workers from the Northern TUC Asbestos Support and Campaign Group have secured nearly one third of a million pounds (£311,643.00) in one-off compensation payments for asbestos victims in the northern region. In addition to this, they have also facilitated payment of welfare benefits in excess of £105,000 per month for victims and their families. The recipients of the funds are suffering from a range of debilitating asbestos-related diseases including Mesothelioma, Asbestosis and Lung cancer.</p>
<p>The Group is a partnership between the Northern TUC, Macmillan Cancer Support, regional trade unions and Wallsend Memorial Hall and People's Centre, with the primary function of offering support, advice and information (including help with benefit claims) to people living with the effects of asbestos poisoning. It employs two dedicated members of staff, Maggie Fitzsimons, Support Worker and Maggie Bailey, Macmillan Welfare Rights Adviser.</p>
<p>Working out of the Wallsend Memorial Hall and People's Centre in North Tyneside, they cover the whole northern region, from Northumberland to Tees Valley and over to north Cumbria. Established relationships with Health professionals, trade unions, law firms, Macmillan and Welfare Rights staff ensure a comprehensive and personal service for sufferers.</p>
<p>The benefits accrued are comprised of several areas, with the majority from the Workers' Compensation Scheme and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit, supplemented by Attendance Allowances and Carers Allowance to help fund necessary day-to-day care.</p>
<p>Kevin Rowan, Northern TUC Regional Secretary said, 'This is a huge, life-changing amount of money going to help the people who need it most, and as an added benefit it will be recycled into the local economy providing a win-win situation for the welfare of workers and the region as a whole.'</p>
<p>Stephen Guy, Macmillan Development Manager for North East said: "The expertise now available to Asbestos and Mesothelioma victims from within this initiative is evident from the recent successes. It is only correct that people who have suffered have their right to state benefits and compensation protected and maximised. This joint venture delivers."</p>
<p>Maggie Bailey, Macmillan Welfare Rights Adviser said: "Research carried out by Macmillan shows that people affected by cancer are often unaware of the benefits they can claim and at the time of diagnosis need help to guide them through a complex welfare system. We visit people in their homes and help them with the forms and give advice. We can also give them information about other Macmillan services and support groups."</p>
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Beliefs and ValuesLiving EconomyNews Briefasbestoscompensationmacmillan cancer supporttucUK NewsTue, 05 Feb 2013 11:54:24 +0000agency reporter17945 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukChurch delay on Irish compensation payments to victims of clerical abusehttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/13872
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<p>A question asked in the Irish parliament reveals that the Catholic Church has paid only a fraction of the compensation promised to victims of clerical abuse.</p>
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<p>A question asked in the Irish parliament has revealed that the Catholic Church has paid only a small fraction of the money it pledged to the State last year to help compensate the victims of clerical sexual abuse, says the National Secular Society (NSS).</p>
<p>In May 2009 Judge Sean Ryan, issued a 2600 page report on abuse in church run industrial schools and orphanages in the Irish Republic, following a nine year investigation. </p>
<p>The enquiry found that rape and sexual abuse were"endemic" in boy's facilities. Girls suffered less sexual abuse but were subject to beatings and humiliation. The Ryan report also revealed that the church authorities had simply moved offenders to other institutions where they were free to abuse again.</p>
<p>The original judge appointed to head the enquiry, Mary Laffoy, resigned in 2003 over the refusal of the Department of Education - which was reponsible for inspection of orphanages and industrial schools - to hand over documents.</p>
<p>The NSS reported last week (23 December) that only €20m has been paid out of a total of €348m pledged following the publication of the Ryan Report. None of the property that was included in the agreement has been handed over. In addition, €26m is still outstanding from a €128m deal that Catholic organisations struck with the State in 2002, which granted them indemnity from having to pay further sums for the compensation of abuse victims.</p>
<p>The Labour Party’s education spokesman Ruairi Quinn, who asked the question, said the delay would hinder support for people who had suffered so horribly at the hands of members of the religious orders and that the public would be disappointed and angered at the slow pace of the payments. “I hope that it does not represent an attempt by the Religious Congregations to renege on the agreement and the Government must now insist the pace of payments and transfers is accelerated, particularly given the horrendous economic problems we are facing.”</p>
<p>The National Secular Society campaigns for the separation of Church and State and the abolition of priviliges granted to religious organisations.</p>
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Beliefs and ValuesNews Briefchild abusecompensationirelandnss. national secular societyUK NewsThu, 30 Dec 2010 09:59:36 +0000staff writers13872 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukUK Government 'must compensate' East Timorhttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/7516
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<p>A Catholic advocacy and development agency has called on the British government to fulfil its responsibilities to the people of East Timor, following a quarter-century of violence during which the UK supplied arms to Indonesia.</p>
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<p>A Catholic advocacy and development agency has called on the British government to fulfil its responsibilities to the people of East Timor, following a quarter-century of violence during which the UK supplied arms to Indonesian forces that illegally occupied East Timor until 1999.</p>
<p>The call from Progressio comes as the world’s first bilateral truth commission returns its findings to the Indonesian and Timorese presidents - that 'gross human rights violations' were committed by Indonesian forces during East Timor’s vote for independence nine years ago.</p>
<p>Catherine Scott, Progressio’s Regional Manager for Asia said: “The UK turned a blind eye to the atrocities in East Timor. It should compensate for the role it played in tacitly supporting the Indonesian occupation by supplying arms during a 24-year ordeal for the Timorese in which at least 100,000 people were killed. The British government must also provide greater levels of material assistance to help the poverty-stricken people of East Timor recover and move on”, she says.</p>
<p>The Truth and Friendship commission’s report – the result of a joint initiative by the governments of Indonesia and East Timor to investigate human rights violations which occurred as Indonesia withdrew from East Timor – squarely blames the Indonesian army for “an organised campaign of violence”. It concludes that Indonesia bears “institutional responsibility” for the atrocities that left an estimated 1400 Timorese dead in 1999 alone.</p>
<p>The commission also found that “systematic, co-ordinated and carefully planned” violence took place, including “murder, rape, torture, illegal detention and forcible transfer and deportation”.</p>
<p>Despite its findings, Progressio believes the report – which is designed to “enhance friendship” between the two nations rather than apportion blame – falls well short of what is needed to help the Timorese people build a successful future.</p>
<p>Catherine Scott said: “Although it’s some crumb of relief to victims and human rights workers seeking justice that the Indonesian security forces have been blamed as the chief culprits, we must not forget that this Truth and Friendship process was designed to overshadow the UN’s own investigators who recommended that an international tribunal be set up to deal with the most serious organisers of the violence.”</p>
<p>The real issue, says Scott, is the “climate of violence and impunity” the East Timorese became accustomed to under 24 years of Indonesian repression.</p>
<p>“The bitter divisions which still exist in the country today have their roots in Indonesian divide and rule tactics”, Scott says. "Years of unresolved conflict have simply pushed the possibility of reconciliation further into the future.”</p>
<p>She concludes: “There can be no future peace and prosperity in East Timor without justice for the ordinary East Timorese people" . “Justice must be done and be seen to be done. Only then will East Timor be able to begin to address 24 years of neglect in all areas of it social and economic development. The UK has a key role to play in that long-term recovery”. </p>
<p>Progressio is an international Catholic advocacy and development agency working in 11 developing countries to help tackle the root causes of poverty.</p>
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Peace and NonviolenceNews Briefarms tradecompensationeast timorIndonesiaProgressioWorld NewsWed, 16 Jul 2008 09:13:27 +0000agency reporter7516 at http://www.ekklesia.co.ukCzech churches become financially distinct from statehttp://www.ekklesia.co.uk/node/6218
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<p>The Czech government has agreed, after almost two decades of dispute, to compensate churches for properties confiscated under communist rule, and also to make them financially independent from the state. The details are being sorted.</p>
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<p>The Czech government has agreed, after almost two decades of dispute, to compensate churches for properties confiscated under communist rule, and also to make them financially independent from the state - <em>writes Jonathan Luxmoore</em>.</p>
<p>"There's a common desire now to solve these problems; what remains are the specific conditions," said Jiri Grecka, spokesperson for the Roman Catholic bishops' conference in the Czech Republic.</p>
<p>"If this proposal goes ahead, it will show the state is genuinely willing to co-operate with us and see justice is done for past abuses," Grecka stated. "This will signal a new era."</p>
<p>The government of Prime Minister Mirek Topolanek has said it will bring a draft law before parliament in December to deal with the issue of the confiscated properties.</p>
<p>Under the agreement reached by church and government negotiators, communist-seized properties will be returned to religious orders, and compensation totalling 83 billion Czech crowns (US$4.5 billion) will be paid over a period of 70 years to dioceses and parishes.</p>
<p>Direct state payments to churches, including clergy salaries, will be reduced annually over the next decade, and finally end in 2018.</p>
<p>Grecka told Ecumenical News International the agreement would mainly affect the Catholic Church, which owned 95 percent of properties seized after the 1948 imposition of communist rule.</p>
<p>"Public opinion has been against paying compensation, since people don't see why churches needed property in the first place," Grecka said. "It may be more positive when it realises this proposal would finally make the churches independent, and end their need for state money."</p>
<p>Zuzana Dvorakova, the general secretary of the Czech Ecumenical Council, which groups 11 non-Catholic denominations, said it was unclear whether the proposal would gain approval in parliament, where Social Democrat and former communist lawmakers have previously vigorously opposed draft laws to settle church property issues.</p>
<p>Still, Dvorakova noted, "This is the most important attempt to solve the problem in recent years".</p>
<p>[With acknowledgements to ENI. <a href="http://www.eni.ch/">Ecumenical News International</a> is jointly sponsored by the World Council of Churches, the Lutheran World Federation, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Conference of European Churches.]</p>
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Beliefs and ValuesNews BriefchurchescommunismcompensationczechmoneyWorld NewsTue, 13 Nov 2007 07:27:08 +0000Ecumenical News International6218 at http://www.ekklesia.co.uk